11-Sep-08: Ferrari Say KERS is Making Next Year Difficult
Welcome to F1 Minute for the 11th September 2008.
We’ve seen some teams struggle with KERS already this year, notably BMW, but now Ferrari say they too don’t think it will be ready in time for the 2009 season. Engine Technical Director Gilles Simon says: “The Kinetic Energy Recovery System is a complex subject, which finds us dealing with a lot of new and complicated areas, while ensuring that we still devote all necessary efforts into continuing our usual development programme on the current year car.” He said that all the teams will struggle to get the technology ready, and that not everyone will benefit in the same way.
Whilst we’re on the subject of new regulations, BMW director Mario Theissen says that even longer-life engines are the way to go. He says changing the regulations drives costs up, but under the current freeze, he thinks teams could get away with three-race engines, if speeds were reduced. I get the feeling any moves to deliberately make things slower won’t be popular, but let me know what you think at F1 Minute.com.
Steven Roy on Thu, 11th Sep 2008 21:57
I think the cars should be made slower but not by cutting the engine power. The aero and technology should be cut which would save a lot more money than anything they do to engines. It would also cut cornering speeds and increase straight line speeds and braking distances. That would make slipstreaming and overtaking easier. Simple.
Dan Dragoi on Thu, 11th Sep 2008 23:35
I agree with Steve. Nobody will miss 10, even 20mph slower overall lap speed. F1 cars in the 90’s, even the 80’s were just as awesome to watch. Having said that you have to be careful that GP2 doesn’t close the gap too much or you will dilute the value of the F1 show.
peterg on Fri, 12th Sep 2008 05:35
They all srceamed when they were told to have an engine last one race, then again when it was moved to two races. When you consider the overall reliability of these two race engines, three races would be no trouble.
I only wish that, with production freed up, one or two independant teams could enter the sport with a customer engine. No chance, however, of F1 improving the breed with some new blood.